Brown-Forman Corporation just announced the sale of its cooperage in Trinity, Alabama, to Independent Stave Company (ISCO). The deal is expected to close by May 1, 2024 at which time the Jack Daniel Cooperage will be renamed to the Alabama Cooperage upon closing. Most importantly for fans of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, the cooperage will continue to make barrels for the Jack Daniel Distillery as part of a strategic relationship between the companies.
The “Alabama Cooperage” will be owned by Independent Stave Company and will continue to produce barrels for Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
We believe that barrels are more than a container for our whiskey, they’re an important ingredient. This agreement helps ensure a steady supply of the same high quality barrels at a competitive price to Brown-Forman and Jack Daniel’s. ISCO will continue to craft American White Oak barrels using the same meticulous process that we have for generations, keeping the quality and taste of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey consistent around the world.
Tim Nall, Chief Global Supply Chain and Technology Officer
Independent Stave Company is a family-owned cooperage company which has customers in more than 40 countries. Founded by the Boswell family in 1912, Independent Stave Company is led by Brad Boswell as CEO and 4th Generation Cooper. It operates cooperages and stave mills across the globe.
We are grateful to Brown-Forman for the opportunity to craft barrels of the highest quality for their iconic brand, Jack Daniel’s. Alabama Cooperage will be a great addition to our existing network of mills and cooperages. We will utilize our 112 years of industry experience to manufacture barrels to the exacting standards they have been adhering to in Trinity, Alabama, since it opened in 2014. Our team looks forward to welcoming the employees in Trinity to the Independent Stave Company family.
Independent Stave Company CEO Brad Boswell
In the past, Brown-Forman sold its stave mills in Alabama, Ohio, and Tennessee to ISCO. Current cooperage employees will be offered employment by Independent Stave Company.
Brown-Forman will maintain ownership and operation of the long-standing Brown-Forman Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky. The Cooperage produces approximately half of the barrels for the Brown-Forman portfolio of brands and enables ongoing barrel research, development, and innovation for brands and new expressions.
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